Say What!!? Infrastructure in Mexico...

Now who says Mexico can't build a solid road system??? Now, now, before anyone says anything.. I'm not saying that they do BUILD them, but I am saying they certainly can!!!

Take a look at a few of these pics from a recent road trip from Cancun, Q.Roo to Progresso, Yucatan.

I could barely believe my eyes when I saw a ... get this... 4 , yes I said 4 lane highway!!!! Now that is 4 lanes ONE direction!!!!!!




For those of you living/vacationing in Cancun - Progresso is well worth the trip!!! It's a 3 1/2 hours drive along a toll hwy, and it's very safe. However, they do have checkstops with the Mexican Army along the way.... They are good - they're not looking for YOU... At every stop they have washrooms (bathrooms for non cdns and brits) - and get this, FREE toilet paper!!!! The washrooms are very clean and the toilets actually have toilet seats!!!

Now, I'm not a person who enjoys driving in places I don't know very well, and I managed to drive the ENTIRE way home!!!!! Ahhh... so proud!

I only wish you could have seen the look on my dad's face while I was driving, oh man can we say BACKSEAT driver!!!! (love you pops) However, could have done w/out the comments "Respete la velocidad" repeatadly!!!!! I do have to admit I am fairly lucky I didn't get a ticket (ahhh....knock on wood 3 times)!! The highway has a decent speed of 110km/hour. Now I don't endorse speed driving, however, it's a fairly quiet highway and it's allllllllllll straight for the most part!!! 12o wouldn't be bad!!

Neways, I will most definitely be planning a trip out there again... Sooner, rather than later!!! My next post will have some pics from our time in Progresso!!

Oh and one more thing....

Did I mention you pass such places as Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Merida along the way? Ohhh...sure there are many more towns, but truthfully I just can't spell them!! LOL!!!

Viva Mexico :)) y...respete la velocidad!
www.gocancuntransfers.com

Ohh what a night!!

Okay, so unfortunately I spent this NYE in Calgary, Canada, so I am going to post about last NYE in Cancun! Now, now, to my fellow Cdn's I still looove the place, but there's just something about -30 Celsius weather that just doesn't do it for me :)

Last year, we really didn't' know what to do. Since many of our friends are still single they all wanted to go "clubbing". Sooo....the old married couple that we are (hehe) decided to spend the evening with my suegros (in-laws). The year before - we rang in the new year at their house, so this time we decided to go to a hotel - which one to pick?? There's sooo many!!!

At the end of the day we decided we'd have dinner at the Omni - to my surprise I was shocked to see that there were MORE locals, than tourists there!! I couldn't believe it! They had the entire ball room decorated in balloons and streamers - it was really pretty. They served a buffet dinner with LOTS to choose from. They had fish, chicken, beef, etc.... The other nice thing, unlike Canada - we didn't' have to get up to go to the bar, they served us!! Now to anyone living in Mexico this isn't' a surprise anymore, but I still sometimes forget how nice these things are, just like full serve gas pumps... Okay , back on track - NYE.

Unfortunately, my husband got REALLY sick that evening. Without going into too much detail he spent the majority of the night in the washroom! We barely made it to midnight before we had to go home!!! LOL. ( I hope he doesn't read this, mxn men are very private - well mine is!!)

One of the traditions that Mexicans do is they have 12 grapes in a champagne flute, and when the 12 bells go off at midnight you eat each one making a wish! Then you down it with champagne of course!!!!

REALLY shortly after - we left... However, another tradition for Mexicans (when you're at home) is you grab a suitcase and run to the street from your front door with it. This indicates a year of travel. You can also run to the street and throw a few pesos indicating - I think good fortune!! There are sooo many little traditions, it's hard for me to keep up!!!

Anyways, just thought I'd share what a NYE in Cancun can be like for all of you wishing to spend it here. Either for a vacation, or as an Expat!!!

New Years Resolutions....

Well, when I really think about the word resolution it is exciting, then I think why do we limit it to New Years?? Why don't I make it any time of year?? Sooo...that is what I'm going to try and do this year. My NY resolution - just do what I want to do, or say i'm going to do ALL year! (Yes, I realize this is not genius, and most ppl have thought about this already , hehe)

So here is my 2009 to do list (subject to change without notice):

-become fluent in Spanish
-start. stoop and continue ... exercising
-finish building the house in Cancun
-learn to cook more dishes
-go to the beach a few times a month
-adopt a dog
-spend less money on material things I don't need
-stop putting so much emphasis on material things I don't need
-have a savings account...with SAVINGS!! LOL
-spend more time with my hubby!!!!!
-travel, travel and more travel!!!!
-keep on blogging

Okay, at the moment this is what I've come up with, but gimme some credit as it was a late night with the neighbours/friends!!!! When I get some energy I'll have to post some pics!!!

Happy New Years to ALL!!!

Feliz Navidad

Is there really that much more to say??

Feliz Navidad !!!!

I wish nothing but the best for everyone this holiday season. I truly mean that!!!!

It's always a little strange around Christmas time - my husband and his family celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December "Buena Noche". My family and I have ALWAYS celebrated Christmas on the 25th. This is something I won't budge on. He can have every other holiday, but NOT Christmas. I like our tradition...... I don't want it to change too much. We can always add on, but we will celebrate the 25th.... Indefinitely :)

What's on the menu?? Nothing but "good old faithful".

Turkey, Potatoes (roasted & mashed), Stuffing, Yams, Cauliflower, Carrots, Salad, Etc....

I just can't change it up.

At least we can agree on one thing - REAL TREE!!! I just looove the scent in the house, and there's something about the humidity. I don't ever remember a tree smelling so nice and for so long!!! How about you??

I'll have to post some pics of the neighbours houses - Seeing Santa in Cancun is just a totally different experience!! One that will be appreciated! LOL.

Well.... time to go and get ready for the fiesta!!!

Owning a car in Mexico....

To own a car in Mexico…..

Okay, until now most of my posts have been REALLY positive. I now must vent…

In 1961 the government reissued a tax on owning a car in order to "afford" the construction of new facilities for the Olympics; this was called the Tenencia (from the verb tener; "to have" in Spanish). However, the tax remained to finance the 1970 FIFA World Cup, held also in Mexico. Ironically, the tax remains today.

This tax is variable depending of the car's value, number of cylinders, etc. Since many Mexican drivers default on paying this tax, government started taking countermeasures but due to this being perceived as uncontrollable, candidates to the presidency started making proposals to quit this tax before the July 2, 2006 elections including Felipe Calderón, current president of Mexico who took the charge on December 1. Tenencia remains to date though it's still due to be abolished by 2012.

Well with that all being said I was screwed! We purchased a van from a DEALERSHIP which gave us all papers indicating the taxes had been paid in full up until now. Well, well we just went to register it and found out that papers were incorrect, and the dealership was only paying as if it were a smaller vehicle. We now owe $2500. GREAT.

How does a dealership get away with this?? I just am mad. My husband and I aren’t stupid people… How did this get past us? Also, he’s mexican – he knows what to be looking for. Oh well, we have a lawyer who is looking into this for us – I’ll let you know how that goes. For now we just want the van to be working, and that it is….. J

Well, it is time for me to head out and get some last minute Xmas shopping done… Hopefully, it won’t be another 2 weeks before I post!!! I was in Toronto for business, and was able to visit some old friends from Cancun…. Ohhh how nice it was to see them!!! I’ll have to post some pics, and share a few stories of our trip!!!

Until then….. Feliz Navidad!!!

El Carnaval de las Maravillas - Merida

Okay, so every year Merida hosts a WONDERFUL carnival for everyone to enjoy!! Seriously, it's for alllll ages. A few main streets get shut down for the parade to go through, most notably Paseo Montejo. Ahhh... for those of you who haven't been to Merida, look at my pictures in this post!!! For those of you who have been , you know what I'm talking about!!! Paseo Montejo is a street full of HUGE mansions.... Old colonial. Some are still used as a residence, and have been taken care of very well, others... they are used as offices, etc... It's unbelievable.

(Paseo Montejo)

The Carnival itself runs for a week. It's amazing. So lively. Very family oriented, but you see the teenagers out too. You can sit on a patio of a restaurant (you'll need a light sweater) and watch the parade go by... You will see the famous Corona float go by, then the Sol ladies and men dancing in their ...ummm... bathing suits?? !!! Then you'll see the older generations go by dancing, with a van that usually follows carrying the members that couldn't last.... Oh soooo cute!! You'll see the kids perform, wow can some of them DANCE!! At such a young age, in their costumes and they are soooo proud to let you take a picture of them - just for you.

(A shot from above some stands)

All the floats go by and they throw different gifts at you - ranging from T-shirts, to pens and mardi gras like beads!! All the while music is blaring, your waiter is serving you drinks, and you get to watch a BEAUTIFUL city enjoy life. After the parade shuts down - you can take a carriage ride around the town, listening to the music from the different performers in el centro..

Every night, and day they usually have different floats, however, they are very similar, but well worth it!!! It's free!!

During the day event you go to "Paseo Montejo" and buy allll sorts of different foods from the vendors. Fruits, beef, churros, etc... ALL available. You name it, they most likely got it!! Where else do you get to go and not have to pay an admission fee?? I can't think of one!!!


(mmm.... churrrrrrooossss)

Okay, well that is all I'm going to talk about for now as it's still a couple months away.... I'll have to re post once the date gets closer!! Maybe I'll entice you to attend!!

Building una casa en Mexico

Okay, so I FINALLY have pictures of our land that we are building on here in Cancun.... Literally, it's just a piece of land. Actually, more like a jungle. I think some of my friends in Canada thought I was joking, or simply exaggerating about the jungle part... Well wonder no more. Pictures speak louder than words!! Hahaha.

One of my friends, who has only been to Mexico once (stayed at a resort in P.V) asked me if I was going to be okay living in the "ghetto". Hahahahahahahaha!!! He took one look at the pics of the "jungle" and the unfinished streets automatically assuming it's the ghetto. Hilarious to an expat!!! So of course I start explaining to him that since we are building, it is up to our neighbours and ourselves to get a street put in. It was up to ourselves to have the jungle torn down, security wall put up, etc... He was more shocked to hear it absolutely was NOT the "ghetto" - rather an up and coming neighbourhood. Hahahahaha.

(of course this is the ghetto calle my friend was referring to,hehe)

(of course I showed my friend this photo of a "finished" street around the corner)

Now, of course if you buy through a builder, or a developer - they take care of all of this for you!!

(school for the kids)

Anyways, I plan on keeping you all up to date, and posting photos as the construction will be ongoing for quite some time!!!

(our lot is somewhere around one of the trees, jajajaja)

Soon I'll finally be able to say "Mi casa es su casa"